Hurricane/Tropical Storm Information

Hurricane Disaster Recovery Resources

• FEMA assistance is now available to Pinellas County residents who experienced damages/losses due to Hurricane Milton. Disaster assistance may include 
  financial help for temporary lodging, basic home repairs and other disaster-
  caused expenses. Eligible residents can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, using the FEMA app, or by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
  
  
• Don’t Be Scammed by Contractors. To search for licensed contractors and verify contractor licenses go to: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/
  
  
• Have questions about Building Permits? Contact Dunedin Building Department at: 727-298-3210; permits@dunedinfl.net
  
  
• RVs - Residents may place and live in an RV under certain conditions while their home is uninhabitable for up to 36 months or until the Conditional Occupancy is issued, whichever occurs first.
  
  
• The Disaster Distress Helpline is open and provides 24/7 toll-free, multilingual disaster crisis counseling for anyone experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. 
  Call or text 1-800-985-5990.

• Residents who need help cleaning up damage can request assistance through the Crisis Cleanup at (844) 965-1386 or by visiting crisiscleanup.org. Local voluntary relief organizations will respond to these requests.

• Residents needing disaster assistance, including cleanup kits, can contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).  
  
  
• HOPE Florida is assisting residents with unmet needs. The HOPE Line can be 
  reached at 1-833-GET-HOPE (1-833-438-4673) or at hopeflorida.com.
  
  
• Feeding Tampa Bay is offering food pantries and food distribution events in Pinellas County for residents impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The latest information can be found at disaster.pinellas.gov

It’s OK to NOT to be OK – Post Hurricane Mental Health Support 

• For all Florida residents, Cigna Healthcare is providing access to its 24x7 telephone 
  help line staffed with qualified clinicians available to speak with people about how to 
  cope with anxiety, stress or other issues. People who do not have health benefits or employee assistance program benefits with Cigna Healthcare can call 1.866.912.1687
  toll-free. 

Disaster Assistance for Businesses

• Florida Commerce and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Business owners can self-report physical and economic damage caused by Hurricane Milton. Businesses can complete the survey online by visiting https://floridadisaster.biz/Respond/BusinessDamageAssessmentsSurvey and selecting “Hurricane Milton” from the dropdown menu
  
  
• The SBA loan fund is depleted, but we’re encouraging businesses to apply anyway. They will then be put on the list for when funding is replenished. Learn more about the loans here.

Additional Recourses: 

Duke Energy - Contact Duke Energy to report or view current power outages in the area. 
City of Dunedin Website - Check out our website for important updates and information.
Road Closures - For traffic and closure updates across our area. 

What to do and Who to Contact Post-Storm Flyer available in both English and Spanish 
in the linked file
CIC remains open at 727-464-4333. Residents who are deaf or hard of hearing can
contact the County Information Center via online chat at www.bit.ly/PinellasChat
If you suspect price gouging, report it to the Florida Attorney General’s Office by visiting MyFloridaLegal.com or calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM.
Updates will be posted on disaster.pinellas.gov, sent out via Alert Pinellas and Ready Pinellas, and on Facebook @PinellasGov and X @PinellasGov.

Pinellas County Hurricane Guide: pinellas.gov/make-a-plan/hurricane-guide-english/
Severe Weather Preparedness: pinellas.gov/preparing-your-home-for-severe-weather/
Flood Information Resources: pinellas.gov/flood-information/

Dunedin City Manager Jennifer Bramley discusses hurricane recovery efforts with Director of Communications Sue Burness in this audio/podcast interview. 
Topics discussed include: debris collection, why and how Highlander Park was selected as a temporary debris laydown site, measures the City is taking to help residents rebuild/renovate their homes and an update on the City Marina. Tune in to get answers to many questions residents have as we recover from Helene and Milton.

Receive countywide emergency notifications via text or email. 

Create a plan for your family on how to respond to a potential disaster. 

Learn what to include in your emergency kit. 

Pinellas County's comprehensive guide for hurricane preparation. 

Find out if you're in an evacuation zone with this county map. 

Visit our Flood Awareness page to learn more about flooding and how you can prepare. 

Learn the disaster preparedness items that are eligible.

Subscribe to Dunedin's emergency updates. 

The City of Dunedin’s Wastewater Department suggests to do the following before/after/during a storm:

• Make sure your cleanout caps are snug and secure so sewer cannot escape.
• Stay out of the water in the streets! Although it is not wastewater, that water is full of bacteria!
• Conserve water when possible. Even if your power is on and you’re able to use every facility in your house- please think twice as the Wastewater Treatment Plant is already treating extra water from the storm!
• If you see any open manholes, manholes with shifted lids, or manholes without lids- notify the Wastewater Department as soon as possible.
• In Dunedin, Wastewater and Stormwater are separate collection systems, discharging to different places. Find each department’s contact information below:
  • Wastewater:
    • Office (7:30am – 4:30pm): 727-298-3256
    • After Hours: 727-639-3570
  • Stormwater:
    • Office: 727-298-3232

For more information visit: dunedingov.com/stormwater

View here(JPG, 278KB)

Learn what sandbags can and can't do, and how to use them to the best of their ability. Video provided by 10 Tampa Bay. 

Ensure the safety of your furry friends. 

Find which shelters are open and what accommodations they have. 

Track and monitor storms and weather systems. 

How to respond during and immediately after a storm. 

Resident and business disaster assistance information. 

It's difficult to lose so much of what makes your house a home. We understand that the idea of repairing and rebuilding can be overwhelming, but we're here to help you build back stronger. To ensure you're getting the correct information you need, we encourage you to explore the permitting page, which offers valuable resources tailored for individuals, businesses, and contractors. This page can guide you through the permitting process, helping you access essential information and support as you embark on your rebuilding journey.

Temporary Policy for RVs, Trailers, Boats & STR

City of Dunedin has issued new policies for temporary structures, including RVs, trailers, boats, and short term vacation rentals following damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Full details on what is permitted: Code Compliance - City of Dunedin, FL (dunedingov.com)

Temporary Structures (RVs, Trailers, etc.):

• Permitted on parcels where permanent homes were damaged due to Hurricanes Helene or Milton, while home is uninhabitable for up to 36 months or until the Conditional Occupancy is issued, whichever comes first.
• Must comply with City Ordinances when possible or be located entirely on private property without blocking sidewalks or roads.
  
  

Utility, Debris, and Contractor Trailers:

• Utility trailers permitted per city provisions.
• Debris trailers permitted by ordinance.
• Contractor trailers allowed at sites with active building permits.
  
  

Boats:

• Temporarily stored boats from damaged marinas must comply with ordinances, be located on private property, and avoid blocking sidewalks.
• Exceptions expire on February 1, 2025.
  
  

Temporary Housing:

• The $200 Short Term Vacation Rental (STVR) registration fee is suspended for damaged units.
• Long-term rentals cannot be used for short-term stays due to sufficient STVR inventory.
  

Permitting:

Q: What is the turnaround time for permit approval once a complete application has been received?
A: 3-5 business days.

Q: How soon can I get an inspection?
A: The City offers next day inspections.

Q: Can a demolition permit be issued to a homeowner?
A: No. Florida statute requires a licensed contractor to pull a permit for demolition.

Q: Can I as a homeowner submit a building permit?
A: Yes, this is possible for one and two-family homes only and provided the homeowner resides in the home. Work completed under owner/builder status prohibits the homeowner from selling or leasing the home for at least 1-year following completion of the project pursuant to Florida Statute (Chapter 489). 

Q: Where can I find the City permitting system?
A: The City EPL system is at: https://cityofdunedinfl-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/selfservice#/home

Q: How difficult is it to register on EPL?
A: It is a simple registration and password site the same as any other web-based member site.

Q: Where can I find general permitting information? 
A: The City landing page for building permit information is at:https://www.dunedingov.com/City-Services/Business-Development/Building-Codes-Permits-Construction/Permits-Inspections There are many helpful tools there including, but not limited to, Documents and Forms, a Fee Calculator, additional FAQ’s and Permitting Guides.

Q: Has the City waived building permit fees?
A: Yes, until April 30, 2025 for those homes that have been damaged by the recent storms.

Q: Why do I need a contractor?
A: A licensed contractor is required for most construction activities as provided for in Florida state law (Chapter 489). This is to assure building components are properly and safely installed to industry standards.

Q: Do I need a permit to remove damaged drywall? 
A: No, the City does not require a permit to remove damaged materials but the Florida Building Code does require a permit for installation.

Floodplain:

Q: Where can I find floodplain information and specifically information on the 50% rule?
A: The City landing page is at: https://www.dunedingov.com/City-Services/Business-Development/Building-Codes-Permits-Construction/Floodplain-Management-Regulations

Q: What items must be included in a 50% valuation estimate?
A: Those items are specifically listed in the Substantial Improvement or Damage Review Package located on the website noted above.

Q: Does the 50% rule apply to me if I am not located in an identified Special Flood Hazard Area?
A: No.

Q: How can I determine what my 50% value is?
A: The Pinellas County Property Appraiser posts a letter for every parcel. This letter provides a value for both Windstorm Loss Mitigation and the FEMA 50% Rule. A property owner may also use a recent appraisal, if available.

Q: Can I separate permits so that I can get in my home faster and will the value of each permit be counted together for the 50% rule?
A: Yes, but all qualifying items listed in the Substantial Improvement or Damage Review Package must be value aggregated toward the FEMA 50% Rule.

Q: Can a substantial damage assessment override a permit that was issued by the City?
A: No, provided the City has issued the permit consistent with FEMA standards.

Q: I heard that the City has a 5-year cumulative rule that may inhibit what I can spend under the FEMA 50% Rule?
A: The City does have this rule but is suspending it so that storm damaged homes can be evaluated against the entire 50% value amount afforded.

Preparation and recovery assistance to businesses. 

For sandbags that have come into contact with floodwaters:

• Sandbags that have been in contact with floodwaters may be contaminated by sewage, animal waste, oil, lawn chemicals or other hazardous chemicals. Wear gloves and a dust mask when handling potentially contaminated materials. Do not place used sand in or near bodies of water, playgrounds, sandboxes or other areas of direct human contact.
• Bring used sandbags, separated from other waste to the Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex, 3095 114th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. Disposal fees apply.
  • Note: Disposal fees for sandbags will be waived after hurricane season, from Dec. 1, 2024, through the end of 2024. 
    
    Please do not put sand or full sandbags in your regular trash or yard waste. The sand does not burn and will not convert to energy in the County’s Waste-to-Energy Facility. Do not mix sandbags with yard debris for disposal. The sand is abrasive and damages equipment used to grind yard debris into mulch.

For more information about the prefilled sandbags, call Pinellas County Public Works at (727) 464-8900.

For sandbags that did NOT come into contact with floodwaters:

• Keep and store clean sandbags to reuse them for future storms. Hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, with most major storms occurring between mid-August and late October. It’s best to store sandbags in a cool, dry area indoors or under cover.

• To dispose of clean sandbags, spread the sand on lawns or landscape beds. Place the empty bags in your garbage bin (not your recycling bin).

• Do not dump sandbags onto the beach. Sand used to help stop flooding may be different from beach sand and can cause issues for turtle nesting, among other problems.

City of Dunedin Arborist strongly advises against homeowners climbing on ladders and/or operating chainsaws without the proper level of experience and protective gear.

• Leave the dangerous/hazardous work to the professionals. There are many experienced companies in the area as well as others that have traveled here to assist. Let the professionals do their job.

• Expect higher prices. It’s not necessarily “price gouging”. Often times these companies are working seven days per week. Paying workers overtime and even double time. 

• Expect longer than usual responses, especially in non-emergency situations. The demand far out exceeds supply with tree service companies. Try to have patience.

• If it’s not an emergency, don’t pay emergency prices. Shop around and get estimates. You may be able to avoid hurricane related emergency pricing.

• As a general rule, when it comes to tree failure and related damage, it is the responsibility of the property owner where the tree or limb ended up. It doesn’t matter where the tree originated. Example: If a neighbor’s tree and or limbs fall on your house or your property, it’s your responsibility. It may not seem right, it may not seem “fair”, but that’s what it is. Conversely, if your tree falls on a neighbor, it’s not your responsibility either.

Prepare and help in recovery efforts in Dunedin and Pinellas County.

Check the power outage map.